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History The Mystery Of The RPM Valve Covers

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by Ryan, Mar 31, 2021.

  1. Louie
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 671

    Louie
    Member
    from NJ

    20210401_134135.jpg
     
  2. I have an idea. Put ‘em on a car and use them!

    Too many of us have way too much cool shit hoarded, hanging on the wall or in display cabinets. I do....
     
  3. There is so much truth in this^^^^^^^^^^ I am only 50ish and plan on another 50 through bad living and choices and have been cleaning house for a couple years now. Between my classic mountain bike stuff and my hot rod stuff there was just a ton I am not ever going to use or need! The clincher was helping my folks downsize for their next stint RVing. The amount of tools and extra crap in dads shop was amazing. He sold off a ton but I now have in my shop lubes, paint and fluids that go back to the 80s that have been moved back and forth across Sodak multiple times!
     
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  4. theHIGHLANDER
    Joined: Jun 3, 2005
    Posts: 10,392

    theHIGHLANDER
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Well I have nothing to add that solves the mystery, but I have seen "RPM" SBC valve covers and thought "...what kinda cheap shit is this?" Later in time I might have seen a set at a swap meet, didn't need em and totally walked when they were staggered. The set I saw on an engine were straight as I recall but I wouldn't raise a rt hand to it. That said this really is a fun mystery and I'm sorry I missed the 1st go 'round about em.
     
  5. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
    Posts: 22,064

    Ryan
    ADMINISTRATOR
    Staff Member

    If you picked them up, you would noticed how nicely they are casted... Far better than most in the 1950's and even 60's... I gotta think they were actually expensive?
     
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  6. theHIGHLANDER
    Joined: Jun 3, 2005
    Posts: 10,392

    theHIGHLANDER
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    This was a while back Ryan. At the swap meet I didn't examine them except to see the staggered pattern, and the hot ticket in those days were the yawn-fest Moroso tin and fabricated aluminums. Then I went BBC and actually ran stock chrome valve covers on B&B spacers to clear the standard fare Crane gold rockers. I name dropped all of that so you'd harken back to your days with the Camaro. ["Ryan now swoons upon his days of trans brakes and low 60' times"] :cool:
     
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  7. oldolds
    Joined: Oct 18, 2010
    Posts: 3,474

    oldolds
    Member

    I seem to remember my father selling RPM stuff. He had a small parts house / speed shop from about 1964 until the mid 70's.
    Most of his speed stuff came from Don's Speed Shop in NJ. They were a pretty big wholesale speed supplier.
    Anyone have Don Raleigh's contact info? I know he was still alive and doing well pre Covid. I would see him a various swap meets.
     
  8. jimvette59
    Joined: Apr 28, 2008
    Posts: 1,128

    jimvette59
    Member

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  9. jimvette59
    Joined: Apr 28, 2008
    Posts: 1,128

    jimvette59
    Member

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  10. Hollywood-East
    Joined: Mar 13, 2008
    Posts: 2,023

    Hollywood-East
    Member

    Holmes "Moon"
    Holmes foundry cast early moon...

    Searching, I only came up with Holmes in Ontario Canada, cast engine blocks... Vintage-rare-cast-finned-valve-covers-moon-mooneyes.jpg
     
    Last edited: Apr 2, 2021
  11. jimvette59
    Joined: Apr 28, 2008
    Posts: 1,128

    jimvette59
    Member

     
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  12. saltracer219
    Joined: Sep 23, 2006
    Posts: 1,133

    saltracer219
    Member

    I have Holmes finned valvecovers on my early Olds Rocket in my Modified Roadster.
     
  13. XXL__
    Joined: Dec 28, 2009
    Posts: 2,136

    XXL__
    Member

    [​IMG]

    The "named engine" theory seems unlikely. Not only is that, as @Ryan pointed out, an excessively complicated labeling system, "torque" wouldn't fit in the gap in the fin without crowding the letters beyond the resolution of casting. So now we're talking about at least 2 different patterns just to make labels. I mean, the Sharpie has been around since 1964.
     
  14. hotrodlane
    Joined: Oct 18, 2009
    Posts: 401

    hotrodlane
    Member

    Dennis, yes of course everyone knows this, but what they left out of the official report was it was the SBC front engine dragster that these valve covers were on had showed up at the wrong airstrip that day and was blocking the run way that her plane was supposed to land on. LMFAO
     
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  15. Dangerousdan
    Joined: Apr 12, 2018
    Posts: 340

    Dangerousdan
    Member
    from Arizona

    Great story. More History about the cause.
     
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  16. B.A.KING
    Joined: Apr 6, 2005
    Posts: 4,039

    B.A.KING
    Member

    Pretty simple RYAN PERFORMANCE MOTORSPORTS Come on people
     
  17. ;);)

    Ben
     
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  18. 1-SHOT
    Joined: Sep 23, 2014
    Posts: 2,780

    1-SHOT
    Member
    from Denton

    The Great Hoax is over
     
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  19. hotrodjack33
    Joined: Aug 19, 2019
    Posts: 4,423

    hotrodjack33
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I'm starting to wonder if those valve covers even exist...those guys over on the "photoshop thread" are pretty talented.;)
     
  20. Xrjunky
    Joined: Sep 12, 2020
    Posts: 6

    Xrjunky

    In the early 1960's M/T used aluminum Buicks which may have been sourced from Traco. They were around 255ci, which was the max cu. in. at that time for Indy competition. I owned engine marked JK no. 3 which was a spare for the James Kimberly entry. Neat engine, featured a cast magnesium front cover, dry sump, Hilborn, Traco rev kit and a Harmon-Collins magneto from a flathead Ford. Sold to an engine collector in Ohio. No real answers here, just an old memory.
     
  21. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
    Posts: 22,064

    Ryan
    ADMINISTRATOR
    Staff Member

    It was me. I killed Patsy Cline.
     
  22. silent rick
    Joined: Nov 7, 2002
    Posts: 5,385

    silent rick
    Member

    tied her to the car and dragged her
     
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  23. hotrodjack33
    Joined: Aug 19, 2019
    Posts: 4,423

    hotrodjack33
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Sigh...I think we were in denial, but deep down, we ALL knew you were responsible:eek:
    I guess the next stop for the valve covers is the Police Evidence Locker:(
     
  24. dern hoodlums
     
  25. MJW
    Joined: Jun 29, 2006
    Posts: 475

    MJW
    Member
    from NJ
    1. PA. NJ. local HAMBERS group

    Dons contact info off of his website got an email from him on Feb 11th.

    http://www.oilnspeed.com/contact.php
     
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  26. Moriarity
    Joined: Apr 11, 2001
    Posts: 33,820

    Moriarity
    SUPER MODERATOR
    Staff Member


    or you can get him here as he is also a Hamb member

    https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/members/5quart.10218/
     
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  27. Xrjunky
    Joined: Sep 12, 2020
    Posts: 6

    Xrjunky

    I too am a sucker for the obsolete, arcane and any all around great mystery. Iv'e always been attracted to those projects that have a great history/mystery and lacking that, I simply make it up. Nothing pisses me off more than when I admire someones well-executed hot rod, and they proudly announce that they bought that way.
     
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  28. saltracer219
    Joined: Sep 23, 2006
    Posts: 1,133

    saltracer219
    Member

    Actually I am ok with that. The fact that they would admit that they diden't build it tells me that they are honest and not trying to take creadit for something that they diden't build. There are those who will lie and take creadit for building a car that they have never done anything with but drive it. Not everyone has the skills to build the car of their dreams, that said, I consider myself extremely blessed!
     
    chopped, Deuces, hotrodjack33 and 8 others like this.
  29. So because somebody bought a finished car it is no longer well-executed and doesn't deserve admiration?
    It is still the same car as when it was built.

    Mick
     
  30. alanp561
    Joined: Oct 1, 2017
    Posts: 5,007

    alanp561
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    For those who have " way too much cool shit ", there are some like me who don't have anything hoarded, hanging on the wall or in display cabinets. If you feel the need to eliminate some of that " cool shit " that is just taking up space, PM me and I'll be glad to help out with your problem.;)
     
    dana barlow, Deuces, Budget36 and 3 others like this.

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